iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

The beauty of giving myself permission to write a wild first draft that has more flaws than keepers is that it's taking me in directions I didn't imagine.New possibilities surfaced for the story this morning. It's a gift to rediscover joy in my writing! Here's my desk today.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

As I listen to the rain, I'm thankful for a job that I can do from home, on most days. However, I've been thinking about the parts of office culture I miss, like the random conversations that lead to learning and collaboration. If you've worked in an office, what do you miss about office culture?

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

If you need encouragement today, take a lesson from this lone stalk of corn growing along a US highway. It has persisted and grown for weeks and it finally has an ear. In the midst of anything, you can persist.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

If you need to pull away from the heat, or work, or the world for a few minutes, read this month's Goodness of the Garden for a trip to the garden of seasonal fruit. I'm featuring a column by my friend, Emily Toadvine. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

As a gardener, I understand how much work goes into a bag of blueberries. I'm sending a big thanks to my friend Emily who gifted me with these. In July, I'll feature a piece by Emily in my blog, The Goodness of the Garden. You can subscribe through my web page or by messaging me your email address.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

What's on your reading list this summer? ☀️ I just finished The Christie Affair (highly recommend!) so the other two are up next. I'd love to see your TBR pile!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

I can't remember who said something to me last week about the beauty of the cicada wings. I had noticed it, too (along with those wicked red eyes which aren't so beautiful to me). On my morning walk, I saw one at my feet and had to get a photo. It still had dew drops on it.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

It's been a terribly gray and wet spring in Kentucky. My antidote? Plant flowers that add beauty and perspective even on the grayest of days. A good book will do the same.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Have you heard about the fake books listed in the Chicago Sun-Times' recommendations for summer reading? This is one of the dangers of AI and of losing media that is funded well enough to pay good reporters. Check out this coverage from NPR to gain more understanding. www.npr.org/2025/05/20/n...

npr.org

How an AI-generated summer reading list got published in major newspapers

Newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and at least one edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer, published a syndicated book list featuring made-up books by famous authors.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Yesterday was a writer's dream--reading my work for a crowd of relaxed, receptive listeners on the porch and grounds of historic Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, KY. The weather was beautiful and the creativity was everywhere. I return to my writing inspired.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

When I traveled to Alaska last week, I needed a good book to read on the plane ride. Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro totally absorbed me. I definitely recommend this unique story.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

When I walk around my yard and there's a breeze, the scent of these beauties surrounds me. What a gift!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

The energy at The Plaid Elephant bookstore was fantastic on Saturday. Children burst through the doors excited to see what was new. Their parents followed, some of them looking for an adult novel like mine. Big thanks to Kate Snyder of The Plaid Elephant for the experience.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I was honored yesterday to receive an award for a short story I entered into the Bluegrass Writers Coalition Kentucky Visions contest. It was quite special to participate in the ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda with a small group of very fine Kentucky writers.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

I look forward to Meet the Authors Day at the Plaid Elephant bookstore in Danville, KY on Saturday. It's such a fun store!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

What roles have libraries played in your life? Every time I've moved, the library has been one of the first places I visit. They are such a great asset for learning and dreaming. This poster from a past National Library Week expresses how I feel about reading.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Thanks to Sandra L. Young for the short, fun interview with Bookish Road Trip on Facebook. It's a challenge to answer three questions in three minutes!

facebook.com

Redirecting...

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

My book blog tour has ended. Thanks to the bloggers who participated. Here's a comment from reading.late.into.the.night: The book celebrates women and their relationships. Friendship, mothers, daughters, family and neighbors. And it offers hope in the face of adversity. It’s an uplifting read.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

I found out today that Meta used my novel in their AI training. It's happening to most published authors. Please support copyright laws and the rights of creators and urge AI companies to stop using the work of writers and other artists without express permission and licensing.

actionnetwork.org

Tell AI Companies They Do Not Have the Right to Use Your Work

I just sent a letter telling AI companies they do not not have the right to use my work. Use the Authors Guild's letter template to send your own.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

On April 8, I'll be representing Partners for Rural Impact in a panel discussion about how integrated student supports can sustain and strengthen school communities in time of crisis. If you're interested, register here. I look forward to a good exchange of ideas. drexel.edu/soe/resource...

drexel.edu

Upcoming Event - School of Education

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

The best part of my day was talking with a graduate of Garrard County Middle School who participated in our after school writing program back in the day. She graduated from Asbury and will be pursuing a master's in screenwriting at Emerson College. Hurray, Allison!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Are you cleaning out your freezer in preparation for spring? This month's Goodness of the Garden talks about planning for winter by buying fruits in season this spring and summer. Plus, there's a breakfast smoothie recipe. bit.ly/43pjPIk

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

The snow is gone and the crocuses are blooming. I'm celebrating nature and friendships today. What are you celebrating?

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

I'm starting my week off right with a homemade cinnamon roll.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

I listened to a presentation from the Author's Guild about authors licensing our books for AI use through a specific company that I'm led to believe is innovating in this area. Writer friends, how do you feel about licensing your books for AI use?

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

What gives you courage? I've been thinking about comments some readers of Rooted in Sunrise made about the protagonist, Ava, being courageous. It made me think about what gave her courage, and what gives me courage. Knowing that I am loved unconditionally sets me up to be courageous. What about you?

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Reposted by Beth Dotson Brown

T.L. Simpson @tlsimpson.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Please and thank you

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

My book blog tour for Rooted in Sunrise begins today! Here's the first stop: www.instagram.com/p/DFnQcwLxCR...

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Thank you to The Authors Guild for providing badges that authors can use to distinguish their work from something that is authored by AI. My hope is that this kind of labeling will become standard. Human creativity is priceless.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Here's a gem from a small publisher that I enjoyed. The Blue Trunk pulled me into the story about identity and how the people around us are so influential on that identity. I also liked the dual timeline that illustrates similar experiences of two characters during different eras. A great read.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

The highlight of my week has been a note I received from a reader of Rooted in Sunrise. She connected with the story as I hoped readers would. She also called it a masterpiece, so there’s that. 😊 Knowing I reached a reader means everything.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

In this month's blog, I share a few lessons from my garden for the new year. bit.ly/40dFlfU

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

In this month's blog, I share a few lessons from my garden for the new year. bit.ly/40dFlfU And by the way, I took the photo before all the snow arrived!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Thanks to Jerri Schlenker for featuring me this week in her blog. It was a fun interview. redbudscribblers.com/blog/

redbudscribblers.com

Redbud Scribblers

"One Story at a Time: Weaving Tales Together!"

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Writer friends, do you belong to a writers group? How does it support you? I'm blessed to walk part of my writing journey with these talents who are part of what we call The Writers Table.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Who else enjoys a good puzzle during these days of winter? I hadn't done one for a couple of years until I received this one as a gift. What relaxing fun!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Having time off work gives me brain space for new ideas to bubble up that I want to use in my writing. Does the same happen for you? In the meantime, I want to post once more this year about Rooted in Sunrise, which made 2024 a truly extraordinary year for me.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

It's sweet potato eating season. Here's the link to my most recent blog post with a soup recipe. www.bethdotsonbrown.net/the-goodness...

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Are you still Christmas shopping for a reader? The Rooted in Sunrise ebook is available for the rest of this month at the bargain price of .99.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

I spent two days this week in DC with some phenomenal people who are doing much-needed work in education with the support of the US Department of Education. Here's the National Christmas Tree. May we continue to see the light we need to move forward into 2025.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Thanks to Patrick O'Mahony and Benedictus Books and Gifts for including me in their Christmas Open House. It was a fun way to share the spirit of the season!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Looking for a gift for a woman in your life? The Rooted in Sunrise ebook is discounted this week through your favorite retailer. Check it out!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Hidden Brain is one of my favorite podcasts. This weekend the story delved into the role of families stories in the development of children. It's worth a listen. hiddenbrain.org/category/pod...

hiddenbrain.org

Hidden Brain

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

How did we miss that lone peach during the summer? On this gray, fall day, it reminds me to always look for what might be hidden. And it reminds me not to leave a peach behind next summer!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

I'm meeting so many new writers here that my "to read" list has expanded tremendously. How will I ever find the time???!!!!!

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I'm always happy to get another good review, especially one that recommends the book for libraries and book clubs. I'm happy to visit with book clubs who want to discuss this novel about addressing changes in life, with a little help from friends and family.

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Beth Dotson Brown @bethdotsonbrown.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I've been busy with launch events for my debut novel, Rooted in Sunrise. What fun to meet new readers and to reconnect with longtime friends and former students. I'm feeling grateful.

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